MTFCA Forum

I'm having difficulty shaping round gas tank brackets. I purchased a dumbell weight about the right diameter thinking I could cut it down to size on a lathe but the cast iron is so hard to cut I've given up on the idea. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Richard,
If you have access to a roller that has a removable end, you could slip the bracket in and run it back and forth between bends.

Maybe turn a wood block down on your lathe, bolt the bracket on and hammer into place maybe use your hot wrench too

: ^ )

Keith

Richard,
Are you wanting to fashion original sized round gas tank brackets ? Are they that difficult to find ? I’ll gladly send you a set just for freight costs.

They are no longer being reproduced as I understand.

Hi Richard,
I use a slip roll for things like that, Harbor freight sells a ring roller that will do flat & small round for about $80 it's open ended so would be
easyer than a slip roll to remove from & take up way less space. I know HF stuff has a bad reputation for things made out of Chinaeseum but
they do perform to stated specs but break when pushed to far. I have two HF brake, slip roll & shear combo units that where both given to me
after they failed when abused. I repaired them & use them all the time. Check out YouTube there are lots of videos of ingenius bending fixtures.
Craig.

Hey there Richard!
I made a set for one of my projects a few years ago. If I recall correctly, I formed the strap steel around a welding tank. I bent it around gently, and it naturally sprung back out a bit. Since the welding tank was somewhat under size relative the the T gasoline tank, that came out fairly close. I had a good original pair of brackets (but had two projects). I wanted to use the original set on my 1915 runabout (the nicer car). But after so carefully following the original set for the copy set, when done and painted I almost could not tell which was which. I think the original set is in the runabout.

The band material isn't that thick so a light duty solution is all you need. You can easily make something like this. The bottom two rollers are stationary and allowed to roll the distance apart needs to allow the upper roller to slide down between them. Basically its the friction of the material on the upper roller that slides the material through. Its more or less just enough pressure to move the material across the rollers. --
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Here is an idea using inexpensive casters (may be 2 in. Rubber Rigid Caster at HF for $2.99) a box made of wood top & bottom secured so they don't left when pressure is applied a rod hanger for threaded rod to be use to depress he upper wheel
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Thanks for the input. Question. Would the Harbor Freight ring roller work to even out bends in original brackets?
I saw a video where the fellow created a nice ring fron a flat metal strap but am wondering how it would work on original pieces that have the overall right shape but with high and low spots.

RGould1910 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 29, 2023 11:56 pm

Thanks for the input. Question. Would the Harbor Freight ring roller work to even out bends in original brackets?
I saw a video where the fellow created a nice ring fron a flat metal strap but am wondering how it would work on original pieces that have the overall right shape but with high and low spots.

Yes it will do the job. Wonder if there is a place you can rent one.
Just take it slow. If your strap is more oval now, make a long curve first (manually & with the roller) & then work the circle iterations.
This is a good video for it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TWh_71RDIk
Its just a mini slip (pinch) roller, same as the DIY example

Three rollers will make a radius four rollers are needed to reduce them. unless you can run them upside down through the rollers. That is what I
find. it is not that hard to open a ring. The issue is planning ahead to make the other bends for the clamp & mounts. As far as stock tank mounts
I would rathere get them from a vender Or forum member, its just a lot of time, waste & aggravation for a stock app. If you need a special tank
mount fend for your self or find someone that can do it for you that is why we work so hard to help each other out wright???
Craig.

I found the 2 round gas tank brackets. But, unfortunately, they are both for the right side…sorry…

RGould1910 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 29, 2023 10:16 am

I'm having difficulty shaping round gas tank brackets. I purchased a dumbell weight about the right diameter thinking I could cut it down to size on a lathe but the cast iron is so hard to cut I've given up on the idea. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

In your other post where you said you deformed you bands trying to make them round. So are you looking to reshape those or manufacture new ones? A picture of your old bands may provide a less costly solution.

Spackle bucket filled with sand?

This is how I formed my Buick brake bands with Maple forms. Maybe this would be another idea.